Ferguson, MO native and UFC star Tyron Woodley goes home

Ferguson, MO has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, of late but it's also where UFC welterweight Tyron Woodley calls home. The fighter recently went back home to the St. Louis area to talk with kids who are where he was, years ago.

In the above video, Woodley visits student-athletes working out at the Jackie Joyner Kersee Foundation center in East St. Louis and tries to inspire them to aspire to greatness outside of what they may see every day in their neighborhoods. "They're in a pretty tough environment," Woodley said of the young wrestlers.

"This is actually what I enjoy doing. People think that fighting is your life but really, talking to kids, mentoring, giving back, that's my passion. That's going to be my last job. And I use the positive publicity we get from Mixed Martial Arts to inspire, to encourage, to motivate these kids."

Check out the whole video above and let us know who you looked up to for inspiration as a child in the comments section.